If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Ouch! Owwie! Sorry!

Okay, back on topic...

This is one light I'm really looking forward to seeing... the perfectly cylindrical design is one I really like, and it should work great for mounting on my bike's handlebars or on my helmet. When the neutral version comes out, I'm gonna get two!

Re: Zebralight SC80

Does the XPG outperform the XML at lower voltages? I seem to recall reading something somewhere that said it did, but I don't remember for sure.

H502 with XM-L

Output: 300lm

Length: 2.73

Diameter: .9

SC80 with XP-G

Output: 220lm

Length: 3.2

Diameter: .93

These specs clearly show the XM-L is a better emitter even though it is used in a smaller light -- a situation where it is not supposed to be better. I would really like to hear from Zebralight why they chose XP-G instead of XM-L.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Originally Posted by davidt1

H502 with XM-L
These specs clearly show the XM-L is a better emitter even though it is used in a smaller light -- a situation where it is not supposed to be better. I would really like to hear from Zebralight why they chose XP-G instead of XM-L.

The specs only show that XM-L emits more light ( if we assume that the driver is the same). But lumens are only one of a few parameters that tell you which led is better for specific usage scenario. Yes XM-L produces more lumens per watt but XP-G is able to throw further - apparently somebody at ZL decided that more throw with less lumens will be better for this light.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Where the XM-L falls short is when you want a tighter hotspot without a larger reflector. I'll give you an example. I have an SC30w (XP-E), an SC60w (XP-G), and an Incendio V3U with a neutral XM-L. I had them all together last night checking them out on the same wall at the same time side by side. All three have fairly similar tint. The SC30w had the tightest (smallest) hotspot that was on par with the SC60 for hotspot brightness. The V3U (this is with the stock small head, NOT the turbo head which is whole different animal) had a HUGE hotspot that really spread the light out kinda thin, especially at any distance. The hotspot was noticeably dimmer than the other two lights because of this. The SC60's hotspot was right in between. It was about the same brightness as the SC30 but bigger.

The SC60 throws as well as the SC30 only because it outputs over 50% more lumens and because the reflector is a little larger. Think about that...it *only* throws as well as the XP-E SC30 with more than 50% more power and with the advantage of a larger reflector! The V3U has more than 200% the ouput of the SC30 and about 50% more than the SC60 but is only impressive if you enjoy a MASSIVE hot spot and tons of spill.

Now screw the turbo head on the V3U and it completely blows the SC60 away for throw and *appears* to be faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar brighter than it was with the stock head. The only problem is that now the V3U is longer than the SC60 despite having only a 16340 sized battery instead of an 18650. Also, now it's not so comfortable in the pocket due to the huge turbo head. The turbo head is both larger and REALLY deep for a light this size and that's how it works it's magic. Due to the size of the XM-L, if you want any sort of throw you have to have a larger head.

...And that's why the XP-G and XP-E emitters are still quite relevant!

Re: Zebralight SC80

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders

Where the XM-L falls short is when you want a tighter hotspot without a larger reflector. I'll give you an example. I have an SC30w (XP-E), an SC60w (XP-G), and an Incendio V3U with a neutral XM-L. I had them all together last night checking them out on the same wall at the same time side by side. All three have fairly similar tint. The SC30w had the tightest (smallest) hotspot that was on par with the SC60 for hotspot brightness. The V3U (this is with the stock small head, NOT the turbo head which is whole different animal) had a HUGE hotspot that really spread the light out kinda thin, especially at any distance. The hotspot was noticeably dimmer than the other two lights because of this. The SC60's hotspot was right in between. It was about the same brightness as the SC30 but bigger.

The SC60 throws as well as the SC30 only because it outputs over 50% more lumens and because the reflector is a little larger. Think about that...it *only* throws as well as the XP-E SC30 with more than 50% more power and with the advantage of a larger reflector! The V3U has more than 200% the ouput of the SC30 and about 50% more than the SC60 but is only impressive if you enjoy a MASSIVE hot spot and tons of spill.

Now screw the turbo head on the V3U and it completely blows the SC60 away for throw and *appears* to be faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar brighter than it was with the stock head. The only problem is that now the V3U is longer than the SC60 despite having only a 16340 sized battery instead of an 18650. Also, now it's not so comfortable in the pocket due to the huge turbo head. The turbo head is both larger and REALLY deep for a light this size and that's how it works it's magic. Due to the size of the XM-L, if you want any sort of throw you have to have a larger head.

...And that's why the XP-G and XP-E emitters are still quite relevant!

Re: Zebralight SC80

I had brought a design to Zebralight many years ago on how to use both CR123 and AA in a battery tube. Back then they said it was too difficult due to the spring design. I ended up bringing the design to a custom maker who is still looking to incorporate it in one of his upcoming lights, although finding a driver with a wide enough voltage range was (still is?) an issue.

I wonder if Zebralight are finally using my design? The way my design worked was to have the inner diameter of the tube bored out at two different widths, wider and shorter for the CR123 and longer and narrower for the AA. That way both would fit without rattle and the extra length would be taken up by a long conical spring or a springed piston.

Bitterness over the length of time it took for this to come to reality aside, this is the kind of functionality I have been looking for for years; I'll probably end up buying one, but more especially so if it comes in H80 form.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Wrecked, many people find neutral to be more pleasing to the eye than cool. The cool, to many people, makes colors look washed out or even ghostly. Some people go one step further and prefer warm. Myself, I like neutral but I find that for an outdoor thrower light cool is fine too. Warm makes me feel like it's an incandescent with weak batteries. But that's just my opinion. Everyone sees colors differently.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders

Wrecked, many people find neutral to be more pleasing to the eye than cool. The cool, to many people, makes colors look washed out or even ghostly. Some people go one step further and prefer warm. Myself, I like neutral but I find that for an outdoor thrower light cool is fine too. Warm makes me feel like it's an incandescent with weak batteries. But that's just my opinion. Everyone sees colors differently.

Re: Zebralight SC80

I wonder if Zebralight are finally using my design? The way my design worked was to have the inner diameter of the tube bored out at two different widths, wider and shorter for the CR123 and longer and narrower for the AA. That way both would fit without rattle and the extra length would be taken up by a long conical spring or a springed piston.

maybe they using it, you should have made a patent for it I see this design is nice for flashaholics but not for the ordinary joe doe, most non flashaholics use AA or AAA batteries and not everybody seeks for a light after the world ends, i mean most ppl here in europe just buy a flashlight because its bright and uses common batteries, they dont think about emergeny situations or armageddon, me too. A light for AA and CR123 is always a compromise in size and weight, i prefer the non hybrids.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Originally Posted by leon2245

Average Joe, checking in: have to say the versatility of this one appeals to me.

While I don't expect to use 123's with this light, I'm excited about the versatility. I'm planning on buying two. One of which may very well end up as a dedicated BOB item. In short, yeah, I am concerned about getting through a SHTF situation... I'm hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

Re: Zebralight SC80

It's a bummer that it can't support Li-Ion but I believe it comes as a compromise to having it current regulated and the wide voltage range needed? As long as it still runs Eneloop I guess I am fine with it. Just need to see a side by side size comparison shot of it comparing it to the SC51. I may bite if the size difference is not much.

Re: Zebralight SC80

Agreed - but the SC51/W is in the same 'boat' and I've been perfectly happy running Eneloops. Plenty of primaries lying around (not that I'd need them), but I would have to think that a LiFeP04 would work fine since mine seem to max at around 3.3V after a charge...

Re: ZEBRA SC80

Thanks for the link. Like I said in another thread, it is a bummer not being able to take Li-Ion batteries but I think I am perfectly happy running it on Eneloop. Have been running 14500 in my H501w for so long without realizing that it actually runs brighter on Eneloop. Seems like the AA type Zebralights are mainly optimized for Eneloop.